Things I've Been Silent About

Memories

Azar Nafisi, author of the international bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran, now gives readers a stunning personal story of growing up in a family in Iran, moving memories of her life lived in thrall to a powerful and difficult mother, against the background of Iran during a time of revolution and change.

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I enjoyed reading this book a lot. The author is very brave in revealing her conflicting emotions toward her parents, especially with her mother. Being quite ignorant of Iranian history, it is also interesting and educational for me to read about how Iranians got rid of the Shah, whom they thought to be a dictatorial leader, only to have a much more oppressive government by Khomeini. Just like the Chinese overthrowing the Nationlist Party rule to welcome the much worse Communist Party.

I enjoyed this memoir, as I enjoyed "Reading Lolita in Tehran". like many other Iranian families, my mom was tough in our childhood, and although I really love her, somehow the hidden anger I felt towards her, made me feel uncomfortable at times.
after reading this book, i can face this problem easier, and feel stronger relationship with her. I understand the reason for the ways she treated us, her kids, was for our better future to her best knowledge.

I also recommend this book as a very good reference for Iran, and what happened in this land from early 1900s to present under the reign of Khomeini's followers. (I strongly believe Iran's theocracy dictatorship has nothing to do with Islam).